Uncharted- Chapter 3

I've always been somewhat of an awkward person. Due to the chaos that has been my immediate family as of recent, my friends have become my closest affiliates and now, they’re spread out all over the place. But even with them I tend to have some issues with closeness. I’m assuming that it’s because, as much as I hate to admit it, I take after my dad. My mom was always absolutely crazy, loud, funny and loving, which is why I was closer to her in general growing up. My dad stayed home with me until I was two years old, but as of the age of eight, I don’t remember any touchy-feely moments with him. I love my dad, but I've never said it out loud to him simply because he never said it to me. Hence, even more psychological issues. Luckily, I’m more social like my mom, but when it comes to closeness or asking for help, I was more like my dad, so these things just usually didn't happen.

                During the divorce, my parents were more focused on buttering up my sister, since she was a minor and whoever got custody would most likely get the house. I basically got forgotten about in the process because I was eighteen and could pretty much choose what I wanted to do with who and when. Even though the divorce wasn't completely finished, I somehow ended up on my own with a new resolve. At first, I didn't know why I was going to New York City. It was just the first place I could think of to go and all I knew was that I needed to get away. While I was on the train, I figured out at least some plan of where I would be able to go. I had some money saved up. I was lucky enough for money not to be an issue, just for this moment. The possibilities were endless.

                When the train pulled up to the station, I immediately pulled my cell phone out of my pocket. I was suddenly filled with a new hope, a new idea. I needed to get started. I called my best friend, who I had visited at New York University many times. Carrie sounded concerned when she answered the call. “Hey Carrie, I’m in New York. Can I come to your dorm?” “Umm, why are you here? What happened?” I quickly responded. “Not important. Anyway, are your roommates home?” Carrie hesitated, and then continued. “Yupp, no problem. Ally can let you in. I’ll see you later after class lets out. Then it’s story time, Charlie.” I begrudgingly agreed and got off the phone as quickly as possible. Even with my best friend, I always felt awkward talking to. We were just so different that it seemed like Carrie would understand, but only to a certain depth. For the rest, I was on my own. It didn't make me appreciate her any less, it just made me question if there really was anyone else like me.

                I took the subway and ended up right on the outskirts of Washington Square Park. Even though I was eager to tell Carrie about my plan, I was not eager to tell her about my snap decision to leave home. I chose to take my time walking because it wasn't freezing for the first time since September. Plus, I knew I had some time to kill before Carrie even got out of class. As I got to her building, my excitement turned to nervousness. I simply hoped that Carrie would understand and at least not try to tear down this idea. The elevator doors opened and I approached the fourth door on the right. I knocked a little harder than usual, knowing that whoever was in the room would probably be napping at three o’clock in the afternoon on a Monday. Ally shuffled down the short hallway moments later and opened the door. Even in her disheveled, sleepy state, I saw a look of surprise cross her face. Her blond, curly hair was even messier than usual. Her every day outfit of gray sweatpants and a black sweatshirt was all wrinkled and crooked, which also wasn't an odd occurrence for her.

                “Hey Charlie, what’s up?” she asked sleepily. “I called Carrie a few minutes ago, told her I needed refuge for a while. Is that okay?” Ally shook her head a few times. She seemed to be trying to shake the sleep from her mind and get her thoughts straight. “Oh yeah, of course,” she replied. She left the door open just long enough for me to sneak through before she slumped back to her bed. I felt bad for Ally. She was just as lost as I was, but her parents were so strict about how she had to go to school that even if she had wanted some time to figure it out, she couldn't have had it. Instead, she’s spending her life taking two classes a day, napping the rest of the day and majoring in nothing. Turns out she writes original music and sings, not like she’d ever be able to embrace that.

                After what felt like a half an hour of silence, I heard the jangle of a key against the metal doorknob as Carrie forced open the stuck door to the dorm. As she walked in, she harshly said “Here” and slapped a sticker on my shoulder. As I looked to ask about it, she answered. “New visitors’ passes. Stupid, I know.” We both chuckled a little. Then, she just looked at me. “What’s going on, Char? Please tell me.” I sighed as I sat down on the floor beside her bed as Carrie sat on the bed. She put her legs behind my back and I leaned back on them. With my head in her lap, I told her the more basic version of my needing to take a break from my home life. Carrie stayed silent until I was completely finished. After a few more moments of quiet, she asked “So what are you going to do now?” I knew I had to blurt out my response before I could second guess it. “I’m going to Italy.”